Author Archives: dcaligari

… The magi, as you know, were wise men–wonderfully wise men–who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you theContinue reading “Life is just a long succession of small epiphanies.”

Once again, tomorrow is the Epiphany What were the gifts of the Magi (what were the names of the Magi?) Bonus question: There was a fourth gift – what was it and who was it from? Did you come up with any New Year’s Resolutions?: The secret of change is to focus all of yourContinue reading “Thinking caps on”

The final gift tally (365 gifts): you would have received 12 drummers drumming, 22 flutist, 30 members from the house of Lords, hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock, 36 Fan dancers, 40 angry dairy workers, on permanent coffee break, 42 Swans, trying to mate in your dining room (avert the children’s eyes) , 42Continue reading “Yes Virginia – Christmas is nearly over.”

January 5, 1961 –Mister Ed, the talking horse (with a daily diet was twenty pounds of hay, washed down with a gallon of sweet tea.,) debuted on CBS-TV on this date. The horse wouldn’t respond to any of his co-stars, just his trainer, Lester Hilton. This meant that Hilton had to be on the setContinue reading “Mr. Ed premiered”

January 5, 1995 –On Eye to Eye, Connie Chung’s interview with House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s mother, Kathleen, aired on CBS, on this date, complete with the whispered comment from Kathleen that Newt thought first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was a ‘bitch‘. I wonder if Newt knows what people thinks of him?

January 5, 1973 –Produced by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos, Bruce Springsteen’s debut album, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., was released on this date, but sold just 25,000 copies in its first year. After eight years playing in bars where audiences usually didn’t listen to or couldn’t hear the words, Springsteen used his first albumContinue reading “Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. hit the stores”

January 4, 1965 –During his State of the Union address, President Lyndon B. Johnson outlined his plans for the “Great Society” on this date. President Johnson had introduced his vision of a Great Society in a May 22, 1964 speech: “The great society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end toContinue reading “Bunkies, the government used to get things done”

January 4, 1975 –Elton John cover of the Lennon – McCartney song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds reached the No. #1 spot on the Billboard Charts on this date. The “Lucy” who inspired this song was Lucy O’Donnell (later Lucy Vodden), who was a classmate of John Lennon’s son Julian when he was enrolledContinue reading “Elton John topped the charts (again)”

January 4, 1969 –Jimi Hendrix was banned from the BBC after going off-script when he and his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, appear on the show Happening for Lulu, hosted by the singer Lulu. Rather than sing a duet with Lulu, Hendrix and the band launched into an unplanned tribute to the recently disbanded CreamContinue reading “Jimi Hendrix made an oopsy on the BBC”

It is the penultimate day of Christmas. Today’s gift count (286): you currently have 11 pipers piping, 20 hyperactive effete British gentlemen, knocking furniture over, 27 Pole dancers (draw the shades, the neighborhood kids are staring into your windows), 32 organized dairy workers striking for better working conditions, 35 Swans making a racket, befouling yourContinue reading “The commotion is beginning to resemble a Roman orgy”